5 Snack Tips To Keep You Going During the Day

Snacking is an important part of keeping your blood sugar stable and your metabolism on the go. However, it has to be healthy, to be beneficial. We have all fallen under the spell of a snack that appears to be healthy, but contains hidden nasties. Bran muffins and cereal bars can be packed with added sugars and unhealthy fats. And fat-free foods can be full of sugar and salt. Here are Harvard Medical School top five tips for snacking healthily in this all too deceiving market. (1)

1. Go nuts

When looking for a tasty but healthy snack you can’t go wrong when it comes to unsalted nuts and seeds.

“Almonds, walnuts, peanuts, roasted pumpkin seeds, cashews, hazelnuts, filberts, and other nuts and seeds contain many beneficial nutrients and are more likely to leave you feeling full (unlike chips or pretzels),” according to a report from Harvard.

A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition listed these as the top three nuts you can eat: almonds, cashews and pistachios.

2. Bring Back Breakfast

Healthy breakfast foods can be re-purposed to make great snacks, and it will save you on prep time as well.

“How about a slice of whole-grain toast topped with low-sugar jam? Low-sugar granola also makes a quick snack,” suggests Harvard.

Making an extra hard boiled egg, or taking some left over fruit and yogurt for that 10:00 AM energy dip.

3. Try A ‘high-low’ Combination

Try combining something high in health fats, like avocado, with something light like rice cakes. Harvard also suggests peanut butter with apple slices or celery.

4. Take It With You

This applies the age old rule of ‘food made at home is healthier’. “Think ahead and carry a healthy snack with you for when your blood sugar drops,” suggests Harvard. This will make you less inclined to grab that chocolate or packet of crisps at the check-out counter.

5. Snack Mindfully

Last, but not least, don’t eat a snack whilst you are doing something else. This is the golden rule which most of us don’t follow. “Don’t surf the internet, watch TV or stay at your desk while snacking. Rather take a few minutes and focus on the food,” says Harvard. This will help you to feel more satisfied and abstain from over indulging.

The Author

Kim Bell

Kim Bell has been in the media industry for the past 17 years and has always had a strong passion for health and wellness. Kim started as Features Editor at Longevity in 2006, before moving to the position of Managing Editor in 2010. She has developed a thorough knowledge and understanding of health issues and her stories aim to be balanced and highly informative. Longevity's mandate is to provide relevant and informative stories that are science and research based. and ensure a balance of opinion from a range of specialised experts. Longevity aims to empower readers to make informed decisions regarding their health and wellness. Topical subjects and health issues are tackled, unpacked and presented in easy reading, yet informative way. It is Kim's role to ensure this is carried out through the brand of Longevity.